The market is
all abuzz with thoughts that Microsoft has had about enough of Apple and its iPod. Not typically known for hardware, you
can't argue with Microsoft's success on the Xbox brand, but MSN Music is flea on the dog we know as iTunes. Microsoft
wouldn't bring YAPMP (yet another Portable Media Player) to market unless is was multi-functional; a device that plays
games as well was digital audio and video for example. If we were Microsoft, here's what we'd do:
- Add Podcasting support in MSN Music. It's RSS for cryin' out
loud; you just put RSS support in IE7, so you know what we're talkin' about!
- Get on the horn with XM and
integrate their new Passport receiver into
your device. Portability with satellite radio with gaming = fun.
- Work with the Windows Mobile OEM's (you
remember them, right?) and get some killer VGA screens. We don't want any of that QVGA junk; 640 x 480 is the lowest
res we should have to accept.
- Build in some WiFi support or better yet, piggyback some 3G cellular data
connectivity so we can buy digital music whenever we want.
- Add Podcasting support to MSN Music. Oops. Did
we already mention that?
Let's open up the floor;
you folks have the microphone, so what
would you do for a successful entry into this market? Does Microsoft stand a chance?
